Orange County NC Website
8 <br /> TIPS TO AVOID NON-BITE EXPOSURE TO RABIES <br /> 1. Wear waterproof gloves when handling a pet that has been injured in a fight <br /> or when handling any object that has been touched, drooled on or chewed on <br /> by a wild or stray animal. <br /> 2. Do not touch, feed or pick-up wildlife, stray animals or unfamiliar <br /> domesticated animals, even if they seem friendly or healthy. Teach children <br /> to do the same. <br /> 3. Don't let your pets roam free. If they are outside during the day, keep them <br /> in a closed space or on a leash. Keep pets indoors at night. <br /> 4. Don't attract animals. Remove things they are looking for such as food, <br /> water and/or shelter(e.g., garbage cans, dripping hoses, nail up any loose <br /> boards. <br /> 5. If killing an animal that you suspect is rabid, don't aim for the head. The <br /> brain is used for testing for rabies and if shot in the head it could splatter <br /> infectious material. <br /> 6. Use a shovel to remove dead animals from a yard or a road. Then place the <br /> body in a plastic bag and wash the shovel with a bleach and water solution <br /> (four parts of water to one part bleach). <br /> 7. Disinfect areas that have been drooled on by strays or wildlife animals by <br /> using a bleach and water solution (four parts of water to one part bleach). <br /> S. If you suspect an animal has rabies, either domestic or wild, contact Animal <br /> Control immediately. <br /> DO NOT, under any circumstances, have contact with the animal! <br /> What you should do if exposed: <br /> Wash the wound with soap and water for 10 minutes. (This is very <br /> important since it may effectively wash away the-rabies virus and thus prevent <br /> infection). For eye, nose or mouth exposure, flush the. site with water for several <br /> minutes. <br /> After washing or rinsing the wound/exposure site, seek treatment from a <br /> healthcare provider (e.g., physician, hospital) immediately. Do not wait for <br /> symptoms to.show up! <br />